It is supposed to be a three-cornered fight. But so far, it looks like only two candidates are stepping up their campaign for the Jelutong parliamentary seat in Penang.

Gerakan's Dr Thor Teong Gee and DAP Jeff Ooi have been aggressively campaigning since Monday. They've blitzed the area with posters and banners. Their schedule is packed with door-to-door visits and ceramah.

However, independent candidate Badrul Zaman has yet to ignite his machinery with polling just eight days away.

penang jelutong 280208 badrul zaman Yesterday, Badrul said he would start campaigning today. But today, he said it will kick-off tomorrow with the distribution of pamphlets at local markets and schools.

So far, the independent candidate said he has been visiting places with families and friends since Sunday evening.

Despite the low-profile approach, Badrul is "100 percent sure" he will win the contest.

"People will not decide based on posters or banners. They will decide based on the person – what you can or cannot do," he said, adding that he does not have to emulate the campaign tactics of others.

"Because I have grown up in the area and have relatives and friends here, this grassroots (approach) will work for me."

The 57-year-old businessman also said if he wins the seat, he will join Umno.

Since Badrul wants to bring new development projects to Jelutong, he said he would be able to better serve the constituency as a member of Barisan Nasional (BN).

Strong local network

Meanwhile, the candidate formally representing BN has been bolstered by the ruling coalition's significant resources and support.

Thor, a former city councillor, has one year of public service under his belt and is backed by a coalition that has nurtured a local network for several decades.

penang jelutong 280208 thor and ng When he campaigned in Taman Batu kampong yesterday, he was accompanied by Ng Boon Seng, a 71-year-old MCA leader who is well-respected by the locals.

"We have these kind of contacts you see. It makes it easier for the incumbent (party)," said the Gerakan candidate.

Thor said when he and his entourage make house calls, leaders like Ng guide them and help to ingratiate them with the local communities.

"It is a tough [race]. Jeff Ooi is so famous. But it is not about how famous we are but how ready we are.

"Jelutong is a rapidly growing area. With development, you can expect some problems, especially in terms of infrastructure and planning," he said.

As the local economy shifts from one based on labour to knowledge, Thor said he will "monitor the transition and link the people with the authority."

"I have a close links to the people because of my profession," said the medical doctor, adding that his one year in the city council helped prepare him for a seat in Parliament.

'I am idealistic too'

Earlier this week, Thor was quoted in a Chinese newspaper as saying that bloggers - like Ooi - live in a virtual world while doctors live in a practical one.

However yesterday, the Gerakan candidate said he wanted to stress that he "respects Ooi for being a professional blogger."

At one point during the interview, Thor attempted to challenge the idealism expressed on Ooi's blog. But he quickly backtracked and, underscoring his party's theme of ‘reinvention,' said, "I'm idealistic too."

Responding to a question, the candidate said he supported the distribution of Petronas profits but said it was "easier said than done."

penang jeff ooi pc 280208 jeff ooi 2 The equitable division of Malaysia's oil revenue is a part of DAP's agenda and has been a key issue raised by Ooi in his campaign.

"The government gives goodies before a general election, but it's really about sharing the national wealth," Ooi said.

The business analyst and blogger also rebuked the Penang state government for failing to promote an economy attractive to foreign investors.

This criticism has drawn ire from Penang Gerakan leader Dr Koh Tsu Koon who recently dismissed Ooi's statements as ‘ignorant' and ‘irresponsible'.

At a press conference today, Ooi responded to the chief minister by saying that Koh's leadership has been ‘irresponsible'.

He said in 1999, Penang received more investment than any other state in the country but the state has fallen and is now ranked fifth.